RICK SPRINGER ON HUNGER STRIKE
On April 13, 1993, anti-nuclear activist Rick Springer attempted
to announce a nuclear bomb test to the world by interrupting former
president Reagan's speech at the National Association of Broadcasters
Convention in Las Vegas. To sound the nuclear fire alarm and bring
attention to the continued oppression of indigenous people,
Springer was inspired to "set free" (as one Native elder put it) a
crystal eagle just presented to Reagan, prior to making his
announcement.
Springer was due to report to Shasta County Jail on June 2, 1993
for 120 days of incarceration on the federal charge of interfering
with the Secret Service. At that time, President Clinton was
expected to restart the nuclear testing program at the Nevada Test
Site. Believing this to be an international crime and a crime
against the Western Shoshone whose land is used for nuclear
testing. Springer decided to deny the federal orders for his
surrender and continue to lobby Congress to extend the moratorium.
Springer further chose to deny the federal orders due to the
incarceration of Western Shoshone elder Clifford Dann who, in
protest of the illegal round-up of Shoshone livestock by the BLM,
doused himself with gasoline and threatened to set himself on fire.
He was subsequently blasted with fire extinguishers, arrested and
charged with assaulting a federal officer. With a total lack of
compassion, the BLM and the court system have imprisoned Dann on
the outrageous charge of endangering a federal officer. He is now
serving nine months in Lompoc Prison.
Springer stated, "In 1993, the UN Year of Indigenous People, it
is a shame to the American people that this perversion of justice
has been perpetrated. It is a clear example of the dysfunction of
the court system."
On August 9, the commemoration of the bombing of Nagasaki,
Springer chose to address the media regarding the issue, and
surrendered to the courts in hopes of finding some justice. After
an interview with KVBC-TV, he was arrested while entering the Las
Vegas Review-Journal for an interview.
Due to Clinton's recent decision to extend the nuclear testing
moratorium until Oct. 1, 1994, this surrender seemed appropriate.
Springer has been charged with failure to appear in federal court.
He is currently being held in Clark County Detention Center, Las
Vegas.
On August 9, the date of his arrest, Springer began a hunger
strike in protest of the illegal imprisonment of Clifford Dann. He
is calling on all Americans to do all they can to secure Clifford's
release.
"It is time for people of all races to take that extra step and
join with indigenous people in their efforts to protect not only
land rights, but treaty rights and the sanctity of all life on
Mother Earth."
Contact: Sue Navy at 303-349-5886
Nevada Desert Experience at 702-646-4814
[Rick has been without food for 15 days and as of this morning,
plans to continue his hunger strike. -Michele]
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Michele Lord + If you have come here to help me,
+ you are wasting your time.....
+ But if you have come because
+ your liberation is bound up with mine,
milo@scicom.alphacdc.com + then let us work together.
Aboriginal Woman
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